University Catalog 2005-2006

University Catalog > CAS > Public and International Affairs

Public and International Affairs

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Phone: 703-993-1400
Web: www.pia.gmu.edu

Faculty

Course Work

The Public and International Affairs Department offers all course work designated ADJ, GOVT, and PUAD in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Government and International Politics, BA

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for the BA degree,CAS students majoring in government and international politics must complete the following. With careful planning, some courses required for the major may also fulfill college or university general education requirements. See an advisor before registering.

21 credits in advanced government courses. At least 3 credits must be taken from each of the fields listed below:

With permission of an advisor, a total of 9 credits of GOVT 480 and 496 may be substituted for upper- division GOVT field courses. Only 3 credits of 6-credit GOVT 480 and 6 credits of GOVT 496 may be substituted for major requirements.

Students may choose to concentrate in one of the four fields listed above by completing five courses (15 credits) in one field. Students must still complete 3 credits in each of the other three fields.

A total of 120 credits are required for the BA, 45 of which must have been at the 300 and 400 levels. Only courses passed with a grade of C or better may be used to fulfill major requirements. This includes GOVT courses, and the course for the advanced competency skill requirement.

Public Administration, BS

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the BS, students majoring in public administration must complete the following. With careful planning, some courses required for the major may also fulfill university or college general education requirements. See an advisor before registering.

Option A

Information and technology: GOVT 359, 459; any CS, INFS, IT or MIS course; STAT 362; SOCI 405

Option B

Foreign language: One modern foreign language through the intermediate level

A total of 120 credits are required for the degree, 45 of which must have been at the 300 and 400 levels. Only courses passed with a grade of C or better may be used to fulfill major requirements. This includes GOVT courses, major supporting courses, and Option A or B courses. The following courses can be applied to only one major requirement: JT/STAT250; GOVT 343, 358 and 464.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in government and international politics and in public administration may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing the 300-level GOVT courses in their major programs.

Honors Program

Qualified students majoring in government and international politics, and public administration may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors from the Department of Public and International Affairs. Those highly qualified students selected for the honors program participate in a two-course sequence, GOVT 491 and 496. To graduate with honors, students must complete these courses with a GPA of at least 3.00.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become teachers should consult the CEHD chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Administration of Justice, BS

The BS degree provides a sound foundation in the liberal arts and a focused study of the justice system and social, human, and moral problems raised in the administration of justice. The course of study prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, investigations, juvenile justice, private security, and a wide range of social and human services. The program also provides a strong background for law school and graduate study in administration of justice or public administration.

Students may satisfy all degree requirements at Mason. Students may also use up to 18 credits of approved ADJ courses taken at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) or another Virginia community college to fulfill requirements in the four categories below (no more than 9 credits may be used in the first category; no more than 6 credits in the other categories). Once a student enrolls at Mason, no additional courses may be taken at another institution without prior written approval from the program and the college. Students transferring from the administration of justice program at NVCC are subject to special transfer policies and should consult with an advisor.

In addition to the university-wide general education requirements, students must complete the following. Only ADJ courses passed with a minimum grade of 2.00 may be used to fulfill major requirements.

Credits earned in ADJ 490 and 499 may be applied to requirements with approval of an advisor.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in administration of justice fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ADJ 303. Students should complete ENGL 302 before taking the writing-intensive course in the major, or take the two courses simultaneously.

Honors Program

Qualified students may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors. Those highly qualified students selected for the honors program participate in a two-course sequence, ADJ 491 and 492. To graduate with honors in ADJ, students must complete these courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

Minors

For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The department coordinates the interdisciplinary minors in Asia-Pacific studies, global systems, and urban and Suburban studies. See the Interdisciplinary Minors section in this chapter for descriptions.

The following applies to the five minors below:

All courses applied to the minor require a grade of C or better. At least 8 credits must be unique to the minor, and may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the student's major, concentration, or another minor.

Minor in Administration of Justice

This minor develops knowledge of the principles, institutions, and practices for systems of administering justice. It provides a solid foundation for students seeking to supplement their major area of study, develop knowledge and skills needed for justice-related occupations, or lay the foundation for possible graduate study in the justice field. Students first obtain an overview of the justice system, learn legal or ethical standards by which to judge the behavior of justice practitioners, and then develop advanced knowledge of selected features of the justice system.

The minor requires 18 credits of course work in administration of justice, each course with a minimum grade of 2.00:

Students should plan their course of study with an administration of justice faculty advisor who will be assigned by the program. The minor must be approved by the administration of justice program before graduation. At least 9 credits must be completed at Mason.

Minor in American Government

This minor develops knowledge of the principles, institutions, and behaviors of the American political system. It requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government, and five additional courses from the following:

Minor in International/Comparative Studies

This minor increases students' awareness of the regions and current issues of the world on theoretical and practical levels. It requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 132 or 133 Introduction to International/ Comparative Politics, and five additional courses chosen from the following:

Minor in Legal Studies

This minor focuses on the constitutional foundations, interpretation, processes, and functions of domestic and international law. It requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government and GOVT 301 Public Law and Judicial Process and four additional courses from the following:

Minor in Public Policy and Management

This minor introduces students to the theory and process of policy formulation and implementation in the political and governmental arena. A minor in public policy and management requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government, GOVT 351 Introduction to Public Administration, and four additional courses from the following:

Accelerated MA in Political Science

Highly qualified undergraduates may apply to a bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program and obtain both a BA and a MA with 144 credits. Admitted students may take graduate courses after completing 90 credits, and up to 12 graduate credits may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for their undergraduate degree. Upon completion of their undergraduate degree and with satisfactory graduate-level performance (3.00) in the graduate courses, students earn advanced standing in the master's degree in political science and complete the remaining credits required for the master's degree. (If they took 12 graduate credits as part of their undergraduate degree, this will be an additional 24 credits.) All other master's degree requirements must be met.

To be eligible, Mason undergraduates must have completed at least 90 credits toward their bachelor's degree, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher. Students must apply to the MA in political science program, and be admitted before they will be allowed to start the program. To apply, students must submit an application form, two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors, and a resume. The one-page application can be obtained at the graduate admissions desk in the Department of Public and International Affairs.

Accelerated MPA

Highly qualified undergraduates may apply to a bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program and obtain both a BA and a MPA with 147 credits. Admitted students may take graduate courses after completing 90 credits, and up to 9 graduate credits may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for their undergraduate degree. Upon completion of their undergraduate degree and with satisfactory graduate-level performance (3.00) in the graduate courses, students earn advanced standing in the MPA degree and complete the remaining credits required for the master's degree. (If they took 9 graduate credits as part of their undergraduate degree, this will be an additional 27 credits.) All other master's degree requirements must be met.

To be eligible, Mason undergraduates must have completed at least 90 credits toward their bachelor's degree, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher. Students must apply to the MPA program, and be admitted before they will be allowed to start the program. To apply, students must submit an application form, two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors, and a resume. The one-page application can be obtained at the graduate admissions desk in the Department of Public and International Affairs.

Graduate Programs

Justice, Law, and Crime Policy, MA

The master's degree in justice, law, and crime policy prepares graduate students for doctoral study, or for employment in academia or relevant policy or practitioner communities. 

The program draws on a multidisciplinary faculty in the Administration of Justice (ADJ) program for required core courses and electives. It also makes available a wide range of other electives from many different Mason programs including those in computational social science, conflict analysis and resolution, economics, government, law, philosophy, psychology, public administration, sociology, and statistics. 

The program takes advantage of Mason's proximity to many justice organizations at the federal, state, and local level in the capital region. The curriculum is structured to give students the skills to do policy-relevant research, and to work with justice and security agencies in the region to exercise those skills and serve the needs of those agencies.

Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted for fall semester only. See the Application for Graduate Study for admissions deadlines. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis. There is no required background or preferred experience, but students should demonstrate interest in and aptitude for graduate study in justice, law, and crime policy. In addition to meeting all requirements for graduate study at Mason, applicants should submit three letters of recommendation from faculty members or individuals with first-hand knowledge of academic or professional capabilities; a statement of purpose of study no longer than 500 words; official verbal, quantitative, and analytical GRE scores on tests taken within five years of application submission; and a writing sample of a recent sole-authored work of at least 2,500 words. An interview may be required.

Satisfactory Progress

Each new student is assigned a faculty advisor who helps develop a program of study. The advisor and JLCP faculty assess the progress of all students annually. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be terminated from the program.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete 30 credits distributed as follows.

12 credits of core courses in three fields:

Crime and Security: JLCP 760

A maximum of 6 credits of thesis may be applied to the degree. The master's thesis must be defended orally before a committee of three faculty appointed by the JLCP graduate coordinator.

A list of possible electives by field is given under the doctoral degree requirements below.

Students may request a maximum of 14 transfer credits for prior graduate course work in a relevant area, subject to approval of the graduate coordinator and dean and in accordance with university policies.

Justice, Law, and Crime Policy, PhD

The goal of this program is to provide a rigorous course of study that will prepare students to do research, teach, develop and test policies, and administer agencies and programs designed to administer law, achieve justice, reduce crime, and enhance domestic security.

The program draws on a multidisciplinary faculty in the Administration of Justice (ADJ) program for required core courses and electives. It also makes available a wide range of other electives from many different Mason programs including those in computational social science, conflict analysis and resolution, economics, government, law, philosophy, psychology, public administration, sociology, and statistics. 

The program takes advantage of Mason's proximity to many justice organizations at the federal, state, and local levels in the capital region. The curriculum is structured to give students the skills to do policy-relevant research, and to work with justice and security agencies in the region to exercise those skills and serve the needs of those agencies.

Admission Requirements

Applications will be accepted for the fall semester only. See the Application for Graduate Study for admissions deadlines. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis. Students should have a master's degree in a relevant discipline, or they will be required to complete the JLCP master's degree as an integral part of the doctorate. There is no required background or preferred experience, but students should demonstrate interest in and aptitude for graduate study in justice, law, and crime policy.

In addition to meeting all requirements for graduate study at Mason, applicants should submit three letters of recommendation from faculty members or individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the applicant's academic or professional capabilities; a statement of purpose of study no longer than 500 words; official verbal, quantitative, and analytical GRE scores on tests taken within five years of application submission; and a writing sample of a recent sole-authored work of atleast 2,500 words. An interview may be required.

Financial Assistance

The program offers financial assistance on a competitive basis through graduate assistantships and fellowships. Students on financial assistance must show satisfactory progress in the degree program.

Credit for Prior Graduate Work

Students entering the doctoral program with a master's degree in a related discipline may request that the required credits for the doctoral degree be reduced by a maximum of 24 credits with approval of the program coordinator and dean, and in accordance with university policy. Students who have prior graduate course work that has not been applied to another degree may request to have these graduate credits transferred to their JLCP degree program, with approval of the program coordinator and dean and in accordance with university policy.

Satisfactory Progress

Each new student is assigned an advisor who helps develop a program of study. The program of study must be submitted by the end of the first year. Upon advancing to candidacy, the chair of the dissertation committee becomes the advisor.The advisor and JLCP faculty assess the progress of all students annually. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be terminated from the program.

Degree Requirements

Students must successfully complete 48-60 credits of course work, pass a comprehensive exam, and complete a dissertation proposal (3-6 credits), after which the student is advanced to candidacy for the doctorate in JLCP.The final requirement is a dissertation (9-21 credits), original research representing a significant contribution to the field, which should be publishable in a referred journal or a quality press.

The 72 required credits are distributed as follows.

12 credits of core courses in three fields:

Comprehensive (Qualifying) Exams

The comprehensive exam consists of two parts. First, students must pass a written comprehensive ("qualifying") exam in two core substantive fields of the student's choosing, selected from the three fields below. Questions from the two fields may be administered at one time or serially, depending upon the preference of the committee. Students are not eligible to take the comprehensive exams until they have successfully completed course work specified above and, for students earning the master's in JLPC, completed the master's thesis (799).

Each field of the written comprehensive exam may be repeated once at the discretion of the readers of that field.

Second, upon successful completion of both parts of the written comprehensive exam, students are required to offer an oral defense of the answers, graded by the readers of both parts of the written exam. Students who fail the oral portion can retake the oral exam once.

Dissertation Committee

The student's committee is comprised of at least three faculty and a chair, at least two of which must be full-time JLCP faculty and one, a member of Mason's graduate faculty outside JLCP.The chair must be a full-time JLCP faculty member.

Substantive Fields of Study

The curriculum covers three substantive fields of study as well as analytic methods. Elective courses in each of these areas of study are listed below.

Justice and Law

Justice-related electives:

JLCP 702, 703; GOVT 520, 725, 631; SOCI 611, 612, 619, 640; CONF 501, 701, 720, 721, 723, 724, 726, 747, 802, 803; PHIL 656; ECON 611, 852, 854

Law-related electives:

JLCP 721, 722, 723, 730; SOCI 503; PHIL 711; CONF 733; ECON 895 (when topic is Law & Economics); selected LAW courses**

**   Successful completion of JLCP 720 and 721 is a prerequisite for enrollment in LAW courses, which also requires preapproval from the JLCP coordinator, the law school instructor, and the associate dean for student academic affairs of the Law School.

Justice Organizations, Administration, and Leadership

JLCP 741, 742, 743, 749, 509, 510, 691; PUAD 502, 620, 621, 622, 640, 661, 671, 680, 700, 727, 781; CONF 731, 741, 742, 743; PSYC 532, 631, 639; SOCI 505, 523, 525, 692

Crime and Security

JLCP 760; SOCI 607; GOVT 745; PUAD 640, 644, 741; CONF 734; PSYC 616, 617

Analytical Methods

JLCP 781; SOCI 631, 632, 634; STAT 574, 674, 658, 662, 665, 673; PSYC 633, 640; PUAD 643; CSS 600, 610

Students may use other courses offered by JLCP or other programs as elective credit for a substantive field with prior written approval of the student's advisor, the coordinator of the JLCP program, and the sponsoring program.

Political Science, MA

The master of arts in political science is a 36-credit degree program that prepares students for advanced work in political science, teaching and research about government, a career in government and politics, and work in domestic and international nongovernmental organizations. Students may specialize in American politics, or international relations and comparative politics. In addition, interdisciplinary opportunities allow students to take up to 9 credits in related fields such as history or public policy.

The program is made up of four core courses in political science, two seminars in a field of specialization, advanced seminars in the Department of Public and International Affairs, and elective courses in other departments. Courses are offered at the Fairfax Campus at 4:30 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. to accommodate full- and part-time students.

The MA degree is the first step in an engaging and stimulating career. Students develop a deeper understanding of political ideas and institutions, more sophisticated research skills, a better grasp of the intricacies of governments abroad, and a deeper knowledge of the complexities of international politics. This degree can lead to a career teaching about government, working with legislative bodies, government agencies, and international organizations; or doing research and writing about politics and government.

Application and Admission

Admission is in the fall and spring. Late appli-cations are considered on a space-available basis. The application includes the application form (designate the MA in political science); two copies of official undergraduate transcripts; three letters of recommendation, preferably from recent professors; GRE, GMAT, or LSAT exam results for students whose GPA is less than 3.40, and for all students who intend to apply for assistantships; resume listing employment and volunteer work; and a statement of interests and career goals.

Program Requirements

Students complete 36 credits distributed as follows.

Up to 9 credits of course work from other departments may be selected to complement the specialization and reflect the ideas, institutions, or processes of contemporary governance. Courses should be approved in an education plan designed by students and their advisor. Courses in other departments that complement an American specialization include HIST 628 Immigration and Ethnicity in the United States, or ECON 828 Constitutional Economics. Courses that complement an international and comparative specialization include GEOG 581 World Food and Population, or PUBP 550 Peace Operations.

Students who wish to begin or alter their career in government and politics are encouraged to take a 3-credit internship in their area of interest. Internships can be arranged through the Department of Public and International Affairs.

Public Administration, MPA

This 36-credit program is designed to build the knowledge base and skills of people who are playing, or who intend to play, a leadership role in organizations that develop or implement public policy. The curriculum consists of eight required courses and four electives. In the required courses, emphasis is placed on the development of knowledge about public policy and management, as well as analytical problem-solving and communication skills. Elective courses can be used by students to focus their knowledge and skill development within one of the following concentrations: public management, policy studies, public and nonprofit finance, nonprofit management, international management, state and local government, environmental science and public policy, human resources management, health policy and administration, administration of justice, and information policy and administration. Alternatively, the electives can be used to extend the breadth of study, with courses drawn from a variety of concentrations or even from other departments and schools within the university.

MPA students at Mason have the research and cultural resources of the Washington, D.C., area at their disposal. Government agencies representing all levels of government in the U.S. federal system are located close to the campus, as are the National Archives, Library of Congress, and Smithsonian Institution. Another benefit is the wide range of internship opportunities available in governmental and nonprofit organizations. The MPA program regularly has internship invitations from national, state, and local government organizations, as well as from nonprofit organizations whose principal work is at the local, state, national, or international levels. Many of these internships are paid positions.

MPA courses are delivered at both the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses during the week at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:20 p.m. Classes are also offered during the weekend in an accelerated format, meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays every other weekend for eight weeks. The Arlington Campus is located near the Virginia Square Metro stop, which makes it easily accessible for those who work in Washington, D.C. The Fairfax Campus can be reached by taking a bus from the Vienna Metro. Parking is available at both the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses.

Completion of the MPA can lead to a variety of postgraduate opportunities, including the Presidential Management Internship. With more than 1,000 alumni, the MPA program can also serve as a valuable source for networking and job placement. Additionally, the MPA can serve as a key credential in the pursuit of a PhD in public policy, offered by the School of Public Policy.

Application and Admission

Students may start the MPA program in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. The Admissions Committee considers an application as soon as the file is complete. Late applications are considered on a space-available basis. A complete application file consists of the graduate application form; two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended; a resume listing work experience and volunteer activity; three letters of recommendation; statement of professional goals; and test scores from the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT. If the applicant's undergraduate GPA is 3.30 or higher, the applicant may petition the Admissions Committee for a waiver of the exam. However, to be considered for financial aid, all applicants must submit a GRE score. Applicants who already have a graduate degree in another field may also petition the committee for a waiver of the exam requirement.

Transfer of Credits

Students may request transfer credit for graduate courses taken at other accredited universities or colleges, for courses recommended for graduate credit by ACE, or for courses taken through extended studies at Mason. Transfer credit is subject to university policies, and must be approved by the MPA program and dean. Students who enroll initially through extended studies are advised to submit their application to the MPA program in their first semester of study. Only 9 credits taken through extended studies may be transferred to the degree program.

Program Requirements

All students are required to take eight MPA core courses. These courses give students the opportunity to develop a shared knowledge base and skill set. The courses are focused on the knowledge and skills needed by people who want to play a leadership role in organizations that develop and implement public policy.

Students may take their elective courses within one of the concentrations listed below. Alternatively, with the approval of their advisor, students may create their own concentration, or they may select their elective courses from several concentrations or fields. Students may receive only one -concentration.

Concentration in Administration of Justice

Concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy

Previous science major:

For students who desire more science (in place of BIOL 607), the department recommends one of the following ecology courses:

Students with little or no science background:

Concentration in Health Policy and Administration

Concentration in Human Resources Management

Concentration in Information Policy and Administration

Students may take INFS and TCOM courses, which are offered by the School of Information Technology and Engineering, if they have met the prerequisites.

Concentration in International Management

CONF courses are offered by Mason's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

ITRN courses are offered by Mason's International Commerce and Policy Program

Concentration in Nonprofit Management

Concentration in Policy Studies

Concentration in Public Management

Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Finance

Concentration in State and Local Government

*  Required elective

Certificate Programs

Four certificates are offered: administration of justice, association management, information policy and administration, and nonprofit management. Applications for admission are made through the Office of Graduate Admissions in CAS. Students may enter a program at the beginning of any semester. Students may use up to 12 credits earned in a certificate program toward the MPA degree, pending admission to the MPA program and subject to university policies.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the certificate programs are the same as they are for the MPA degree program.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate is awarded after satisfactory completion of five graduate courses as specified below.

Certificate in Administration of Justice

Certificate in Association Management

Certificate in Information Policy and Administration

Certificate in Nonprofit Management

This certificate may be obtained through 3-credit courses, or through online courses.